274 Schively — Contributions to the Life History of 



probable, therefore, that it gradually decays. Usually 

 there is a single seed, filling the entire cavity ; but a 

 two-seeded condition is not uncommon (Plate XX., Fig 2). 

 The walls of the legume are at first comparatively thick, 

 but the tension consequent upon the growth of the seed 

 causes them to become quite thin. Histological peculiar- 

 ities will be described later in this paper. 



The seed is smooth, of a mottled pink purple color, and 

 varies in size and shape ; the statements made concerning 

 the legume, practically applying here. The coat consists 

 of the following layers : a row of strongly indurated cells, 

 prismatic in shape, with long diameter lying at right angles 

 with the outer surface of the coat (Plate XX., Fig. 3, a). 

 These cells merge externally into a homogeneous layer of 

 similar tissue — the cuticle. Purple coloring is diffused 

 throughout many of the cells of the prismatic layer. Imme- 

 diately underneath these, are several rows of parenchymatous 

 cells, many of which contain chloroplasts (Fig. 3, b). In 

 the neighborhood of the hilum the layers are increased to 

 form a chalaza, though there is no change in character, nor 

 are new types of element introduced. In that portion of the 

 coat, directly bordering upon the cotyledons, a row of flat- 

 tened elongated cells is seen, forming the inner epidermis. 



(Fig- 3-) 



The seed is exalbuminous, and contains a large propor- 

 tion of starch ; the granules measure 6 /i, their prevailing 

 form being ellipsoidal. The cotyledonary cells contain 

 numerous refractive protein granules, the nature of which 

 has not yet been determined. 



The aerial legumes for the present will be referred to as 

 («), (b) and (d) ; (a) resulting from purple flowers ; (b) from 

 green inconspicuous ones, produced in late summer ; and 

 (d) from somewhat similar green, inconspicuous ones pro- 

 duced in winter only. 



(a) Legumes of this type are about one and a half inches 

 long, stipitate, and decidedly tapered toward the apex, 

 where the remains of the style persist. The shape might 



